Owning a property management company has its perks, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the more memorable moments occurred when my college-aged son decided it was time to move out and find a place of his own. Naturally, I vouched for him when he applied for an apartment with another company, confident that he'd be a responsible tenant.
"He’s a good kid," I told the property manager. "He's grown up around the business, knows the ropes. You won't have any trouble with him."
They took my word for it, and he got the apartment. Things seemed to be going smoothly at first. He’d call me with the occasional question about paying utilities or fixing a leaky faucet, but overall, he seemed to be handling things well.
The property manager called late one night. “It seems a rather large party is happening in your son’s apartment.” A mix of embarrassment and frustration washed over me. "I'll handle it. Thanks for letting me know."
When I arrived at my son's apartment early the next morning, I found the entire contents of the place—furniture, TV, even the microwave—piled up on the side of the building. They'd turned the apartment into a full-blown nightclub. The floor was covered in mud with empty beer bottles and red cups scattered everywhere. After the initial shock and apologizing profusely to the other property manager, I eventually forgave my son and told him, "You get ONE of these in your lifetime.”
Think twice before you vouch for your college-age kid. Their brains aren’t fully developed, and their idea of “adulting” may include a DJ and strobe lights.
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